Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday referred the corruption allegations against Gopalpur MLA Pradeep Panigrahi to the Odisha Lokayukta for investigation.
This is the first corruption allegation referred by the Odisha government to the Lokayukta after its creation.
On December 3, the CID Crime Branch of Odisha police had arrested Panigarhi in connection with a case of cheating.
In a statement police said evidence has come to light that Panigrahi collected money on behalf of one Akash Kumar Pathak falsely promising jobs in Tata Motors to people. This case relates to impersonation, cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy and other cyber offences by Akash, posing himself as in charge Managing Director of Tata Motors passenger car division, the statement read.
Earlier on November 29, BJD president Naveen Patnaik had expelled Panigrahi from the primary membership of the party for “anti-people activities” on November 29.
